For the first time in six years, P.G. Masters Ball Hockey has a new playoff champion.
The Predators snapped the crown away from Cap-abilities with an 8-6 comeback victory in the final game of a best-of-five series. Played Tuesday night at the Roll-A-Dome, the Preds overcame a three-goal deficit and clinched the victory with an empty-net goal.
Evan Potskin led the winners with two goals and four assists, while Lyle Rose and Kal Kang both scored twice. For Cap-abilities, Scott Cunningham had three goals and Paul Wilson fired a pair.
The third and fourth games were played earlier Tuesday night. Cap-abilities entered the evening down 2-0 in the series but staved off elimination with 6-1 and 7-6 victories. In the narrow Game 4 win, Caps trailed 5-2 but scored five of the last six goals to stay alive.
The Predators won the first two games, held a week earlier, 11-6 and 12-4.
Cap-abilities was the five-time defending playoff champion and had claimed eight of the past 10 titles. Caps entered these playoffs as the regular-season champion, while the Predators finished second.
The playoff championship for the Predators was their first. They won six of their eight post-season games and scored 62 goals along the way. Potskin, with 24 goals and 41 points, was their big gunner.
In the best-of-five consolation final, the Pizza Hut Slicers swept past Alison's Embroidery/Players Bench. Scores were 5-1, 5-4 and 4-0.
The league will hold its year-end banquet tonight at Pizza Hut.
